Comments on: Those who fear door-to-door breed greater fear

By: Trey Campbell

Trey Campbell — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:36:22 +0000

Melanie – I think it is important to publicly identify and address the issue that some people find door-to-door sales as bothersome, inefficient or simply unsafe. It’s healthy to communicate both sides. By posting an actual e-mail and portions of my response, I had hoped to open the dialogue and get people talking. Thanks everyone for your comments!

By: Trey Campbell

Trey Campbell — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:31:53 +0000

Yes, but it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round… I thought by sharing this, I could show how it is possible to help others see the beneficial side to selling door-to-door.

By: Trey Campbell, APR

Trey Campbell, APR — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:23:48 +0000

Jim, well said. In all of my experience, I think it’s safe to say this person generalized the opinions of his neighbors. One by one, one home at a time, the thousands of bookmen and women each summer will help people see there is nothing wrong with talking to one another, learning from one another and approaching families at their home. Thanks!

By: Trey Campbell, APR

Trey Campbell, APR — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:19:59 +0000

I agree Chad. When you think of using the opportunity to educate someone about the virtues and benefits of door-to-door solicitation, it can be a win-win – even if they don’t make a purchase. Some of the most interesting, nicest people you meet are hesitant at first.

By: Trey Campbell, APR

Trey Campbell, APR — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:18:06 +0000

Andrew – that is excellent! There are two types of fears, the good kind and the bad kind. One is natural and keeps us safe, out of harm’s way such as the fear of getting severely injured in a car accident. We wear seat belts to nullify the fear. The other type is one founded on false information of principles.

By: Trey Campbell, APR

Trey Campbell, APR — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:12:47 +0000

You bring up a good point Robin. It is always important for each person to have their own opinions, but for every one person that gets upset about it, there are lots more who are welcoming or neutral.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:15:31 +0000

So- I am curious as to why you decided to post this? I’m interested in knowing more on this subject.

By: Jim Potts

Jim Potts — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:46:01 +0000

I can understand and appreciate this person’s concern for the student; however I sold for seven summer during great turmoil in this country, 65 through 71, and never felt or experienced any danger. To the contrary, to this day I have no doubt that what I learned about myself, others, families, communities, and our great country is the best experience and education of my life.

My own experience tells me that when you voice a concern to others they tend to agree with you to avoid confrontation so this person’s perception that “most of my neighbors shared my feelings and felt sorry for the student”, was most likely overly stated and misread?

I never one time in all the thousands of presentations I gave wanted anyone to ever feel sorry for me and never relied on anyone to buy my books because I needed the money to go to school. I learned the most effective selling is that which focuses on the benefits of the product rather than my own personal needs. That became such a part of my makeup that I could never betray that philsophy and principle.

I could go on and on but basically I would disregard this person’s comments as irrelavent to the experience of being a “book man”.

By: Robin N.

Robin N. — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:23:22 +0000

I personally prefer enjoying the outdoors compared to my old job where I spent every single day inside a air-conditioned, stuffy lab!

“…I would never buy from you this way…” No problem, thanks so much your time! (For every person who has said something similar to me, there have been ten who said, “Wow, what you’re doing is so cool!”)

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:23:07 +0000

I’d have to agree with you, Trey. It seems like some people are just so closed minded that they don’t stop to think about why a student would make the choice to participate in this program, and what benefits they could be out to gain.